It's time to buy my wife her first deer hunting rifle. She is not a big woman, but she is a shooter. She has a couple of nice 20 gauge shotguns that she shoots well. I had thoughts of buying her a 243 cal. but after reading more about that caliber on here decided that the .260 would be a better deer killer. What are your thoughts on both the rifle and the caliber?

As a modern near-clone of the Swedish 6.5x55, she probably couldn't find a better caliber than the .260 Rem. That is a small, light rifle however. Since she already shoots a shotgun well, recoil shouldn't be a problem. If it were my wife, I would make sure any bench shooting she does is with a well padded shoulder and well protected ears and eyes. You might find yourself coveting that rifle!
Mike.

My wife has a m-7 in .260 and it's pretty gentle. We didn't even bother to put a recoil pad on it. I think it's a good choice for deer.

I forgot to mention, her seven is an older wood stocked version and she had the trigger lightened to 3 lbs.

My Rem Model Seven Scout-style rifle in .260 Rem is my "go-to" whitetail rifle. I load 125-grain Nosler Partitions at 2700 fps and every deer I've shot over the past few years has either dropped in its tracks or gone less than 30 yards or so. It's a great rig: light, handy, accurate, low-recoiling, and deadly.

Go for it!! This caliber worked great for my daughter who is 12.

I think it's perfect. I've got a Model 7 that started life as a 6mm Rem (it was my first rifle something like 20+ years ago), but grew to have a 22 inch Mountain rifle barrel in 260 Rem. I just like the idea of having 20 to 40 grains more bullet. It smoked 3 deer last year with plain ol' 140 gr Corelocks including the deer shown below that was taken by my 11 yo nephew. I have laid in a provision of 125 Nosler Part. loads from Rem; that load has been discontinued . If you look at the downrange ballistics, say 200-300 yards, this round will easily hold it's own with the 270 Win, but it is even easier on the shooter.

The Remington 7 in 260 is a nice combination for deer, I currently have 15 260s, 3 of which are Remington 7s. McM makes a nice stiff after-market stock if weight is an issue. If not, I'd go with the factory laminated stock.

Jeff

I can't believe it, after seeing this discussion, I remembered how I have always coveted the idea of owning a Model 7. So I went onto the Remington website, and it looks like all they are selling in Model 7s these days are synthetic stocked models. What has the World come to?? Where are the sweet laminated stocked or even the full stock versions???? SHAME ON YOU, Remington!
- mike

i dunno about the model 7 but i've got a little kimber in 260. i like the cartridge alot, and the little kimber in under 6#'s and awfully pretty

mho

Just hang tight a little bit longer. A CDL version of the model seven is due out this year. I have the stainless in a 308 which I enjoy. Bought it cause I couldn't find the 7mm-08 I wanted. Now I guess I have an excuse to purchase the CDL version.

i would opt for a 7mm-08 or 308. Recoil is no worse than 260. Have heard about problems with Rem's Model 7s in 260. But as far as caliber, should perform very well on deer.

Gidday Guys,

I'm having all sorts of problems with my Model seven.

The safety has fallen to bits. Not a problem really as I use the half bolt safety but it has still buggered up on me.

Also can't get the thing to group under 2" with 3 shot groups. I hav'nt even managed to fluke one. I beleive it has something to do with the synthetic stock being too soft.

As for recoil my son who first used it when he was 9 years actually prefers the Rem 700 BDL in 30-06 as he thinks the Model seven "kicks too much". He still thinks so now he is 16.

We all know that the cartridge is not the problem but I do think the Model seven could do with some improvements with regard to stock design. Also if the barrel was a littled stiffer we could really be onto a winner like the old mohawk (model 600 or 660). Light carbine without the soda straw barrel would be a winner.

I love the 260 cal but I do have problems with the model seven.

If I had my time over I would have waited for the Kimber and got one of those.

Don't get me wrong the M7 is a dream to carry all day and when you are up close and personal it is great but I just don't feel confident over 200 metres with it.

Sorry to put a negative out there but this is my experience.


Go with the 260 in Kimber.


Happy Hunting

Hamish

I did have a ruger,rem mtn rifle,but sold them to get one of the last bdl's in 260.Don't understand why remington quit makeing this in 260.All of these has been very accurate,Took a deer this year with the rem,BDL @442 yds,and this is a stock rifle,just lightened the trigger.The recoil is about neal,compared to the 243,7/08 and 308.If you could find a used one in bdl you would love it,don't know anything about a mod 7 but if it is as accurate as the mtn rifle and bdl it would be a keeper.

Thanks guys for all your input. One of my reasons for the Model Seven was the synthetic stock and stainless barrel. I have that combo in my in-line blackpowder rifle and love it. Also, the LOP on the stock is a perfect fit for her...I have had her shotguns cut down to this exact length. After reading all this, my decisions are: the caliber is perfect, but I think I will continue to look for the right rifle. However, if I can find nothing else, the Model Seven is not out of the running.
thanks again

If you are interested in a light 260, you might want to look at the 700 Ti. I don't have a 700 Ti, but I have a 260 that was built from a 700 ADL acton, 700 MR battel, and 700 Ti stock. It is nice, light, and balances better than the average Remington 7. The problem that I have with the average Remington 7 is that the barrel is too short/light which makes it butt-heavy. I have owned several Remington 7s in 260 and have yet to have a problem or a poor shooter. Since barrel length isn't a prime criteria for me, I like to modify my Remington 7s with the factory laminated stock or McM synthetic stock and a 22" 700 MR barrel.

Jeff

I am another .260 Remington "go to" person when it comes to deer hunting. I popped two deer this past season at 90 yards each, with 140 grain R-P Core-Lokt ammo, the deer just dropped in place with little or no meat damage. Recoil is modest in my M-7s and accuracy is outstanding. I think the .260 Rem ought to be "The" white tail round for the new century. It is just too good a cartridge.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

NO one here has mentioned the fact that Ruger is chambering the 260 Also, and continues to do so.. both in blue/wood and stainless/sythethic....

I own two of them, as I wasn't sure if the round was going to last that long.. based on lack of popularity of 6.5 bores in the USA over history of it....

Rugers have a one in 8 twist to them, and Remington for some dumbass reason chambers a one in 9.. which would be fine in a 6.5 Rem Mag or a 264 Win Mag, but the slower 260 needs the one in 8 to reliably stabilize bullets heavier than the 129 grain Hornady....

Both of my Rugers have proven to be tack drivers... both are stainless and were bought when Ruger had that old Synthetic Zytel Stock, that I hated but wanted the Stainless action and barrel... Both stocks were replaced with laminated stocks.. one from another Ruger than got horsetraded off, and one from Boyd's... a grey laminate, JRS stock...

For Deer I have used the not real popular 100 grain bullets at 3350s fps... duplicating any 25/06... and have taken deer at 300 yds, instant kills..... With the Leupold set on 4 power, the recoil was light enough, I never lost site picture of the deer and watched it go down in the scope.. this has happened about 5 times so far, the number of deer taken with this rifle....

The second one, sports a 4 power Weaver scope and I keep it loaded with 140 grain bullets and carry it in thick cover, when Elk hunting...that one hasn't brought home any "Bacon" yet tho....

While I have never owned a 7/08, althought I have loaded for a batch of them for friends... it is one of the few cartridges I plan on rebarreling one of my rifle too some day soon... but I don't think it shows any superiority over the 260s....

That Remington laminated stainless 260 was awfully pretty, but I never bought one... but if I had just started accumulating rifles... I'd have gotten one in 243, 260 and 7/08....Don't know if that was in the Model 7 configuration or the Model 700 in the Mountain rifle configuration....

Take a look at the Ruger tho.. it is a solid rifle and WAS a real good buy, until their big time price increases this year! They must have known Winchester was going to close their doors!
Glad I have what I have now....

good luck, cheers
seafire

Seafire,

I believe Rem made a 700 LSS, laminated SS, AND a short run of M7's in Lam blue and I believe also SS. I have seen few lam. M7's but they were made.

quote:

Originally posted by Smoke-em:
It's time to buy my wife her first deer hunting rifle. She is not a big woman, but she is a shooter. She has a couple of nice 20 gauge shotguns that she shoots well. I had thoughts of buying her a 243 cal. but after reading more about that caliber on here decided that the .260 would be a better deer killer. What are your thoughts on both the rifle and the caliber?

I think the Model 7 would be a superb choice. One of my hunting buddies has one in 7/'08, and it is outstanding - maybe the best rifle Remington still has to offer! Of all the current Remington rifles, the M7 is their ONLY offering I'd consider buying!! And the .260 should be excellent as well.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Seafire,

I believe Rem made a 700 LSS, laminated SS, AND a short run of M7's in Lam blue and I believe also SS. I have seen few lam. M7's but they were made.

Yeah 6.5 BR,

I have seen them also, and was tempted... but I had the world covered with 3 different 260s already... two Rugers and I have a 700 VLS in 260 also....

But from Remington, any short action round in their mountain rifle, or the Model 7 with a 20 inch stainless barrel and laminate stock, seemed a pretty good package in my book....

cheers
seafire

Seafire,

Personally owned 2 M7's in 260 in past, neither shot to my satisfaction, and they WOULD NOT shoot above 129's as you stated, nor would a custom 6.5/308 that was 'goofed' at the barrel makers shop which used a 9 twist, instead of the 8 I requested.

I would not have any 6.5 with a twist slower than 8.

The caliber-260- IS a nice one, but my SS M-7 is now rebarreled to a 7BR and shoots under .5 moa, and the barrel 21" .700 muzzle is much nicer for balance and does not walk nor heat up bad at all like the factory spagetti tubes.

My Model Seven .260 shot 160-grain Hornadys well: 0.88" group at 100 yards at 2330 fps, and I read a gun review when the Model Seven in .260 just came out that also reported good accuracy with 160s.

Its interesting I have heard reports in the past-perhaps yours that stated some M7's shot ok with 160's, I would defer any logic to seafire, but 140's would not group, but PATTERN in my 260's with 9 twists and pushed at higher speeds.

The roundnose 160 may be 'nose heavy' and affect its stability differently, I don't know.

I do know Remington RECALLED???? M7's in 260 when they first came out for having the WRONG TWIST??????? Could it be the 1st run had 8 twists?

I believe the ONLY twist in a 6.5 other than 9 that could have gotten out of the factory would have been an 8. Do you KNOW what twists yours is by having checked it?

Also, Remington has a decent design action wise, but I have seen hit and miss quality control unlike Ruger. Rugers have never had Sloppy crowns, poorly finished actions inside and out, broken bolt handles, finish peeling off stocks, etc, etc.

I have experienced that all with Remington, and my point is, the fact that Remington obviously failed to use a correct twist in a slower 260 round when they factory loaded 140's UNDER velocity specs that MUST have an 8 twist to group well is not a surprise.

Ruger got their 6.5's right as Winchester with the correct 8 twist. I would be willing to bet that an 8 twist ALL things equal will shoot a 140 and up better day in and out than a 9 twist.

Slingster, if your M7 handles 160's great. How does it shoot 140s? You MIGHT have an 8 twist in yours but there likely were not very many that made it out the wholesalers warehouses before recalled. The 2 I had were both 9.

I would assume the 160 roundnose, flys different than 140 pointed bullets.

Never have owned a Model 7, as I have never been a fan of short barrels on centerfire rifles, but the 260 Rem is a real sweet heart of a cartridge. It has only killed paper here, as I have had mine about 2 months, but it is extreamly accurate, and mild on recoil. So far I have loads with the Hornady 129 gr interlock, and the 100 grain Partition, and recently picked some 125 partitions to load. I'm thinking a 100 grain partition should be good on blacktail deer and antelope, and I might be inclined to go with the 125 partition or 129 interlock on mule deer, or wild pigs.

My rifle is a Steyr Pro Hunter with a 23 inch barrel, but I dont know the twist rate on it. Anyone know?

When choosing a cartridge that is a killer, but a light kicker. Thats not hard but it always stirs up the pot. How bout a .308 with a shortend stock with an installed SVL recoil pad? Also if a muzzle break intrsest anyone savage now has a youth sized rifle with a muzzle break. A ruger ultra light in 7mm-08 would be nice also.They have a compact but i think its bbl is too short to do anything for ballistics. The .260 is an awsome cartridge. But dont forget the 6mmrem either. .257roberts is a real doozie too. And we cant forget the 25-06 for long action. But if i had to choose a cartridge in the same group type you suggested i dont think i could go wrong with a 6.8mmSPC. That catridge in fact may be chambered for my next rifle.

Take a good look at the 6.5 Grendel and compare, and I think you may see some advantages if you are looking at the 6.8

http://www.65grendel.com/

I really like my M7 with the laminated full stock in 7-08. I had some concerns at first that the full stock might affect the accuracy but it shoots very good and very consistent. Tne only .260 I have is in a 700 Ti and I LOVE this rifle. Shoots 125 Sierras, 130 Barnes TSX and 140 Partitions all under MOA and the weight and balance seem to just fit me. The problem is getting one for your wife, you might want one then.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Slingster, if your M7 handles 160's great. How does it shoot 140s? You MIGHT have an 8 twist in yours but there likely were not very many that made it out the wholesalers warehouses before recalled. The 2 I had were both 9.

I've also shot Remington Express factory 140-grain Core Lokts with similar accuracy, and my hunting load now is the 125-grain Nosler Partition. I'm pretty sure the twist is 1:9.

The .260 Remington caliber in itself is all any body needs for whitetails!! Closest thing to being as efficient as that old tried and tru 25-06 Remington round as anybody has come up with!!!
Today, there were 2, .260's delivered to the shop(on my recommendation), a .260 A-bolt Stainless Stalker(not catalogged since 2004 I think) and a YOUTH MODEL Remington Model 7 with the hardwood stock!! As I type this, they have both been cleaned, bases and rings put on, aligned, rings lapped, and waiting for the customers chosen glass! One will have a 3.5-10x50 Leupold, STAINLESS!!!(another one of the Leupold fold, ain't figured out that there are equal optics for less(NIKON and BUSHNELL ELITES)and the other will wear a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x50. I would expect them to be sufficient in accurracy department and deer killing ability!!!
The sleeper in the .260's available from te factory was offered by REMINGTON!!! It was the 700, SS, DM, model WITH A 24" BARREL!!!! Daughter has been shooting one for the last 3 years and she has yet to see a deer take a step after she pulls the trigger!!! 271 yards, 197 yards, and 27 yards!!(Daddy called that one in to her!!!) And she's shooting a handload or 43 grains of VARGET and the 100 grain NOSLER BT!! That rifle and another one identical to it, both shoot the same load into one of the "SHoot & See" target fixer spots...about .7-.8", 5 shots with BLACK showing on the spot all the way around!!(Her's will do 5 shots at 100 yards like that!!!) They both shoot the 120 BT factory loading into less than 1" but with the 125 PARTITION factory load,(Ain't no damn whitetail needed that bullet construction anyway!!!!) won't do under 4"!!!! I also shoot a VLS in .260 Remington!!! 95 grain VMAXs out to 500 yards it does great and then 44.3 grains of H4831sc and the 140AMAXS, take it out to 1000 yards!! The .260 is versatile!!! The .260 is user friendly!.....try one, you may like it!!! GHD PS: I just located this week, a stash of the SS, DM, 24" barreled Model 700's!!! $575.00 shipped!!!! If I'd found them last week, the Browning and Model 7 Youth would not have been sold!!! There are a few available!! Was 10 in the warehouse!! GET AHOLD OF ME QUICK!!!

The 260 is a great choice and great deer caliber. I plan to get one for my wife also. I of course still prefer the 7mm08 because I have been married to it for so long and it does have a little more to offer a hunter but for the wifey it is a perfect choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Slingster:
My Model Seven .260 shot 160-grain Hornadys well: 0.88" group at 100 yards at 2330 fps, and I read a gun review when the Model Seven in .260 just came out that also reported good accuracy with 160s.

The one in 9 twist will shoot the 160s with great accuracy because it is a round nose....Round Noses will stabilize better than a spitzer when used in a fast twist....

Some of the 140 grainers will shoot in the one in 9 twist on the 260s... but I think it is a case of finding a "sweet spot" in your loading data....

The one in 9 twist is fine for 129 grains and down... but if the rifle is a 6.5 Rem Mag or a 264 Win Mag they have enough extra ooomph to stabilize the 140s with the 1 in 9 twist...

Of course there are exceptions to every rule.. and they will show up at the time that will cause you the most embarrassment!

Just reflecting my experiences....your mileage may vary, to quote another AR member....

cheers
seafire

A good alternative would be a Tikka in 6.5x55. I love mine and hunt with it regularly. No problems so far.

Another more expensive option but a very good rifle would be a Sako Finnlite in either 260 Rem or 6.5x55.

You folks have done a wonderful job of selling the .260 Rem!! I have had a desire for a Rem 673 in 6.5 Rem Mag since it came out if they would just get rid of that damn rib. All of my 6.5x55s and 6.5-06 AI are 8.5 - 10 lbs and the older I get the heavier they get. A couple years ago I was almost ready to rebarrel a .243 win in a Rem 660 into a .260...fortunitly, I came to my senses before I did it.

My new favorite gun is a Contender with an 18" barrel in 7 TCU with scope it is under 6 lbs and it killed 6 deer this year, all bang/flop. Under 150 yds, it is deadly!!

That still leave me with the NEED for a 6 pound 6.5mm gun..probably in .260. A stainless Mod 7 would work just fine. My only question is...will the Mod 7 action allow you to seat 140 gr or larger bullets out far enough to not loose too much case capacity and still feed properly??

http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:7jLS0dfkvc4J:www.e...n&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

GD, browning uses a 10 twist which is why I never sprung for a 1885 low wall-had a 243 that shot unbelievable-friend shot 2 out of 3 in half inch at 200 yards with 6x, and I routinely shot well under an inch at 100.

Thanks seafire, I shot factory 140s in my 6.5/308 23" 9 twist and they would not group but pattern. A shooting times article in this months issue quotes factory loads shoot under 2600 I believe so they definitely need more speed to work best in a 9 twist.

I agree that the 260 like the 6.5x55 is a very versatile and great performing round when loaded with good bullets to its potential.

Lowrider49, I had a 7TCU in a 14" pistol long ago and loved it, killed 1 deer with it, and thought it would make a good rifle round but instead built a 7BR.

It shoots 120 gr at 2878.

I can only imagine how mild mannered the TCU is in a rifle barrel.

Have you chrono'd yours? What powder do you like and I would be interested in the bullets you used on deer and shot placement for those quick kills. Thanks.

I find it interesting that people are describing how a rifle shoots in terms of the weight of the bulet, rather than in terms of the length of the bullet.

As we all knbow, the rate of twist needed to stabilize a bullet is dependent upon its LENGTH, not weight. So it is conceivable that a 1/9" twist in a 6.5mm would be adequate to stabilize a 140-grain bullet, IF the bullet was short enough. Such a twist would probably do a better job if used with a stubby flatbased bullet of whatever weight (120-140 grain), one that was no longer than the 160-grain round nose. Naturally, it does poorly with very long, streamlined spitzer boattail design.

Seafire-

I’d like to hear more of your experiences with (which) 100 grain 6.5 bullets.

I’ve been shooting the Nosler 120 Ballistic Tips @ 2400 fps and find them quite destructive on Antelope. I picked up some Hornady 129 SST’s but haven’t loaded them yet.

Still, I’m intrigued with the added velocity available with the lighter 100 grain bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:

For Deer I have used the not real popular 100 grain bullets at 3350s fps... duplicating any 25/06... and have taken deer at 300 yds, instant kills..... With the Leupold set on 4 power, the recoil was light enough, I never lost site picture of the deer and watched it go down in the scope.. this has happened about 5 times so far, the number of deer taken with this rifle....

good luck, cheers
seafire

I ordered the 130 grain Scirocco II yesterday, and am interested how it performs, but I am also thinking along SeaFire's line that the 100 grain partition moving at 3350 easily duplicates the 25-06, and far exceeds what a 243 win can do. Given that fact, plus the capability to use even heavier bullets, and a 300 yard gun with those, it makes the 260 Rem a clear choice over the other cartridges, all of that in a short bolt. I can't believe Remington didnt toot their horn more than they have with the 260 Rem. All this coming from a guy who basically is a velosity freak. In the 260, I see a fun rifle, low recoil, and alot of flexibility. It is clearly a reloaders cartridge, and reloading is fun. Read, get on the wagon....LOL.

A Model Seven in .260 with a lightened trigger sounds like a great choice to me. I may end up with one now that the stainless M70 Featherlite in 6.5x55 is no longer an option. I'd prefer stainless and the much maligned composite stock.

Lowrider49, I had a 7TCU in a 14" pistol long ago and loved it, killed 1 deer with it, and thought it would make a good rifle round but instead built a 7BR.

It shoots 120 gr at 2878.

I can only imagine how mild mannered the TCU is in a rifle barrel.

Have you chrono'd yours? What powder do you like and I would be interested in the bullets you used on deer and shot placement for those quick kills. Thanks.

6.5 BR,

I started with 120 gr Sierra Pro Hunter and 25.0 gr IMR 4895 at what I guess is about 2100 fps. It shoots about 1.5 - 2" groups at a 100 which was fine. I have a Bullberry with a tight chamber and that load is just about max. I then tried Speer 115 gr HP which is what I hunt with and they shoot a little better...about 1.5". The Speer HPs thru the ribs out to 130 yds have been very distructive on heart/lungs and the deer just drop on the spot. One went for 2 - 3 steps and fell over. Couldn't be happier with the performance. I've shot a couple fox and it is way too much gun for them.

I use the same bullet in a TC factory 7mm-08 15" pistol barrel and it is also very disruptive to life at velocities close to your 7 BR. I haven't tried Nosler BTs but they should do fine too.

I got the 7 TCU barrel last summer and haven't had much time to play with it yet. I'm hoping it will do sub-MOA with some work. It is a sweetheart in a G2 rifle!!

Good Luck!!

quote:

Seafire-

I’d like to hear more of your experiences with (which) 100 grain 6.5 bullets.

quote:

Seafire-

I’d like to hear more of your experiences with (which) 100 grain 6.5 bullets.

Greg,

Work this load up.. It works well with any 100 grain bullets that I have tried....with stellar accuracy out of all of them....Warning tho.. if you use the 100 grain ballistic tip.. it will definitely do the job... moreso than a Partition.... however, what I don't use it for anymore for deer hunting is that it will give you some meat damage.....That is where the partition and the 100 grain Hornady are a dramatic improvement.... the 100 grain HP from Sierra is also a choice, but the above do a better job in my book...

I use IMR 4064 with a charge of 43.5 grains....Standard large rifle primers... work up your loads just to be safe.. say from 39 grains or so to start...MV in a standard Ruger 22 inch barrel gives me 3350 fps.. in a Remington 700 VLS with a 26 inch barrel the MV is 3450 fps....

Even in the Ruger the recoil is light enough that I never loose site picture with a Leupold scope set on 4 power....from 100 to 300 yds I have tested it so far....

As far as seating depth.. I have had the rifle throated to accept Magazine length 120 grain bullets ( the Remington; the Rugers were already longer throated)....

Because Winchester is usually my first choice in Brass over Remington, and they do not make a 260 case... I neck down Winchester 7/08 or 308 brass. to 260 Rem...I use this as I don't shoot a 308 or 7/08...so I know that they go to the 260s...

However this load has had no pressure problems either when using Remington 260 brass or necked up 243 Rem Nickel brass... which I have a ton of...and I like them "Purdy" cases with that Ballistic Tip on them...

If you do purchase a Remington factory rifle, work up a little careful as they do have a tighter throat than the Rugers do...I made a dummy case and use that to set my seating die up for... I haven't had to worry about trimming cases with this load either so evidently their is not much if any case stretching....

I have had service life of 10 reloadings with the cases and this load.... they may go farther but I quit at 10 reloadings per case... ain't worth playing around to save a few more cents.. some think I am nuts for going this far... I know a lot of guys that only reload a case 3 times....

Feel free to drop me a PM if you need any more questions answered....Good luck with your testing... I think you will like the results...

cheers
seafire